Paint ALL the things!

Sometimes I'll have an idea and it will just take off in my brain. This particular idea came to me while shopping at Michael's the other day. And of course once it was in my head, there was no turning back. I happen to lack all self control when shopping for craft supplies. I like to think I'm saving money because I could buy something comparable for a much higher price, but often the reality is that I spend money that I never needed to spend in the first place. This logic plays in my mind in all of the following (but not limited to) stores: Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joann. I can spend money on fabric and paint like nobody's business. Now that I've got a classroom to decorate, I have seemingly no restraint. 

via Hyperbole and a Half

It started with this section at Michael's. I needed a little plastic moose for a little boy's preschool graduation celebration, and while searching I had the idea to give some of these guys a little makeover. I am loving gold these days and recently heard about Krylon's gold metallic spray.  If there is one thing I have learned from following craft blogs, it's that spray paint has the power to transform anything and everything. It's quite seriously a crafter's best friend. I thought some of these animal friends might look  nice in coat of gold, of course figuring I can find a place for them somewhere in my classroom. 

Then I started picking up anything and everything I saw that I thought might look nice in gold. Picture frames, tins, an urn, a lamp, you name it. Before I knew it I had a cart that looked like this: 

And I left the store scratching my head about how I just dropped $50 on supplies I didn't even need. Grr.

Anyways, I made it home with this pack of unlikely friends. 

And quite honestly, a whole bunch of other random stuff.

Armed with 1 can of Krylon gold metallic paint, I had quite the day painting. 

Everything got a coat of white paint first.

Followed by a couple of gold coats.

A few hours later these were my results. What I love about this paint is that it really does leave a metallic look to your subject. These figurines really do look like they are made of metal.

My little clearance urn went from a shiny green, to a cool gold. 

These cheapy $1 plastic frames made a total transformation.

The best part was finding places for my new little treasures. My apartment was in need of a little touch of gold. 

Moral of the story is don't go overboard on an idea. But really who am I kidding? I'm a craftaholic by nature. Good thing I've got that job thing now. I could use some money coming in for a change (;